Stock Up, Stock Down for San Diego Chargers Training Camp

Stock Up, Stock Down for San Diego Chargers Training Camp

0 of 9

Player stock has already started to rise and fall for the San Diego Chargers, despite opening training camp just about a week ago.

Injuries have caused several players to miss valuable practice time, thus altering their stock. At the same time, other players have benefited from their absence by taking advantage of the increased reps available to them.

A few players have also seen in a rise in stock simply due to inspired play in practices.

Read on to find out which players have increased their stock and which have downgraded themselves in Chargers camp so far.

CB Johnny Patrick

1 of 9

Stock: Up

With Marcus Gilchrist heavily focused on a move to strong safety, the Chargers have been searching for his replacement on defense in nickel packages.

That search may not take much longer considering the effort given by Johnny Patrick early on in camp. As Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego writes, Patrick has performed well enough in practice to receive praise from teammate Eric Weddle.

Claimed off waivers from New Orleans during the offseason, Patrick was the first player brought in by new GM Tom Telesco, and from the looks of it, the move is already paying off.

LB Jarret Johnson

2 of 9

Stock: Down

Like most teams this offseason, the Chargers have been subjected to multiple injuries during training camp, some more severe than others.

While it's not a serious matter, veteran linebacker Jarret Johnson did miss some time in training camp with an undisclosed injury, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.

Johnson did return to practice on Thursday, but the slow start is a tad bit concerning. With Melvin Ingram already out for the year, the Chargers can't afford to lose another outside linebacker, especially one as experienced as Johnson.

LB Bront Bird

3 of 9

Stock: Up

Since 2011, Bront Bird has enjoyed somewhat of a part-time career with the Chargers, going from the active roster one day to waivers the next before receiving a phone call to come back yet again.

This year may be different, however, after reserve linebacker Jonas Mouton was lost for the season with an ACL injury during the team's first day of training camp.

Those being considered next in line for Mouton's spot on the roster along with D.J. Smith include Bird, Andrew Gachkar and Phillip Dillard, mainly for their familiarity with the team in recent years.

Bird, who played a heavy dose of special teams throughout the past two seasons, does have experience playing on defense for the team as well, which could help his chances of making the final cut.

S Brandon Taylor

4 of 9

Stock: Down

Starting out training camp on the PUP list has not helped Brandon Taylor's chances of earning a starting job, whatsoever. Every day he's forced to sit out, he loses ground to his competitors.

Jahleel Addae, an undrafted free agent acquired in the offseason, has drawn positive feedback from spectators at camp such as Michael Gehlken. And if he continues to do so, then it's only a matter of time before Taylor's roster spot becomes compromised.

LB Manti Te'o

5 of 9

Stock: Up

Despite the increased attention, Manti Te'o has managed to produce a noteworthy camp in the eyes of the media and his coaches.

The rookie linebacker has racked up his fair share of highlights in camp, and his progression on defense seems to be going smoothly.

In addition, as noted by Ricky Henne of the team's official website, his teammates have responded positively to his performance in camp and have credited him for his work ethic.

LB Jonas Mouton

6 of 9

Stock: Down

Jonas Mouton will not be playing football for the Chargers anytime soon this season after suffering an ACL tear in training camp, and his future with the team is now in jeopardy.

In two seasons with the Chargers since being drafted in 2011, Mouton has played a total of three games, all of which took place late last year.

After missing his rookie season, Mouton will now sit out a second season due to injury, contributing to the question of whether or not he'll be sticking around with the Chargers in the near future.

CB Shareece Wright

7 of 9

Stock: Up

This time last year, Shareece Wright was on track to receive some extensive playing time in the secondary in his second season with the team. Wright had a good camp and an even better preseason, but a foot injury in the season-opener derailed his plans in 2012.

This year, Wright is being tossed into a starting role with the hopes that he'll be able to pick up where he left off before his injury.

So far, Wright has impressed on the practice field, and his confidence is rising according to Ricky Henne.

LT Max Starks

8 of 9

Stock: Down

When Max Starks was brought in from Pittsburgh during the offseason, it was originally expected that he'd be the Chargers' starting left tackle by the time the regular season rolled around. But that definitely isn't the case any longer after his performance so far in camp.

Starks has taken a back seat to King Dunlap in practice, handling reps with the second team. However, a recent injury suffered by Dunlap allowed Starks to get more work in with the first team on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Michael Gehlken.

When Dunlap eventually returned on Thursday, he and Starks rotated at left tackle, while Starks also spent some time at right tackle as well.

LT King Dunlap

9 of 9

Stock: Up

King Dunlap's heavy workload in camp has been one of the most surprising stories in camp thus far.

The former Philadelphia Eagle was assumed to be a backup to Max Starks before training camp started, but Dunlap took first-team reps at left tackle in five consecutive days of practice before an undisclosed injury caused him to leave the field early with the team's athletic trainer on Monday, per Michael Gehlken.

Dunlap did return to practice and resumed his duties with the first team, splitting time with Max Starks. Even with Starks hot on his trail to earn the job at left tackle, Dunlap appears to have the slight edge at the moment.